Shellac-viscosity tester



Aug. 2 1927.

f J. R. MCCLAIN SHELLAC vIscosITY TESTER Filed June 13, -1924 rY-/l/lii INVENToR Job/7 f?, /V/ C70/'f7 ATT'oRNEY Patented Aug. 2, 1927.

UNITED; STATES :our BUssaLL mount, or WILXINSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA, lAssIeNon. 'ro wna'rlzna-v :Hoven morale a naNUrac'rUaINe conraNY, n coarona'rroNor mnNNsrrI.-L

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arpuuuon mea Jane 1a, 1924. semina. 719,740.

the physical properties of shellac and other fusible materials.'k

U For the purpose of determining the suita-` bility of such materials for industrial pur-v poses, it isimportant to know their physical properties. One of the physical properties of `shellac which is relied upon is'its viscosity when in the fused condition', and the rate of iow of the y'melted material Vthrough an aperture or a restricted passage is al measure of this property. One of; the diiliculties in measuringthe viscosity ofmolten shellac is that the viscosity ot the material continually changes when the shellacl is in the molten condition. Therefore. it is necessary to maintain all such variables as temperature and duration of heating as nearly constant as possible in order to eliminate errors. y

One object ofmy invention is therefore, to provide an apparatus `for determiningthe viscosity of materials, such as shellac, which are solidor highly viscous at ordinary tem peratures.' n Another object of my invention is to provide a viscositytesting apparatus in which the personal element shall be eliminated as 3 nearly aspossible.

v. Still another object of my invention *isl toprovide a testing apparatus whichshall be of simple construction. Y A

My apparatusv comprises a metal plate which is provided with a receptacle in which the material vto be tested is fused and a narrow channel` connectedv with the recep tacle through which the fused materialis caused to flow in order to determine thegvisl cosity when the apparatus isy tilted. Means are provided for uniformly heating the apparatus and for uniformly maintaining all conditions 'of testing.v v In the drawing constitutingr a part hereof and in-which like numerals designate like parts, n

ratus, Y

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view otmy l. apparatus partially in cross sectiom; and

. Fig. 3 1s a fragmentary cross,-sectional` l My invention refers to testing apparatus: and specifically tocan apparatus for testlngv Figure 1 isa top plan :view of my 'appa4 .channel 3 is provided with a scale starting at the edge of the receptacle and extending along the channel and divided into suitable units of length, such as inches. An opening 3 terminating near the bottom walll of the receptacle 2 is bored in the end of the plate and. a thermometer 4 is placed therein yfor determining the temperature of the receptacle. An electrical heating element 5 is provided underneath the plate 1 so that the heat :is equally distributed throughout the .plate and lead wires 5 are provided for the heating element at one end of the apparatus. Thel platev 1 and the element 5 are embedded inA a heat insulating cement 6, such' as a mixture of mica dust and water glass, in such manner that only the top of the lmetal plate 1 is exposed. A metal box 7 contains the plate and insulating material. The top surface of the plate 1 is level with the top edges of thebox 7 and a glass coverplate 8 is arranged vto slide sidewise in brackets. 9 which are attached to the" metal plate 1. The glass plate 8'provides heat insulation for the top ,of the plate 1 and eliminates currents of air from the material when it ismelted in the receptacle. A removable metal block 10 at the end of the plate and forming a closure for the channel is retained on the Yplate 1 by Ameans of a tongue-andgroove 11 and prevents the circulation 4of c ool air in the channel 3. The plate 8 overwlaps `the-block 10 and thereby forms a tight joint that prevents a circulation of cool air into the channel.

kThe apparatus yis-supported on a base 12 to which are attached 'a pair of uprights lprovided with a pair of pivots 14 so arranged that the apparatus may be tilted at any angle. A sector 15 is attached to the bottom of the box 7 and it co-operates with I1minNTI OFFICE- be drawn out of engagement with the cir-V cular openings 22 in the sector 15 whenever itis desired to tilt the apparatus. In tilting the apparatus, the pin 16 is disengaged from the opening 22 by drawing it outwardly against the spring 20 which allows the slot 17 to vslide over thel pin 16. `When the apparatus is at the desired angle as for example 60, the pin 16 is again-returned to vone of the circular lopenings 22. A guard and operating handle 23 is attached to the box 7 by means of bolts 24 and serves to protect the thermometer 4 from breakage and as an aid in tilting the apparatus.

In testing shellac, I assemble the4 apparatus with the glass top 8 and with the met-al piece 10 in place, and I regulate the current in the heat-ing element sothat the temperature of the plate is maintained at exactly 125 C. A sample of two grams of powdered shellac, which has previously `been ground to pass the titty mesh screen and to be retained on a sixty mesh screen, is. placed in the receptacle and the glass cover isreplaced as quickly as possible. The sample'is melted for exactly tour minutes with the apparatus in a horizontal position and then the apparatus is tilted to an angle of 60 with the horizontal as shown in dotted lines 25. The melted sliellac then Hows into the channel 3 and the time it takes tor the, shellac to flow to the several divisions of the scale on 'the top of the metal plate is noted. This rate of How is a measure of the viscosity ot the molten shellac.

I have provided an apparatus for testing materials which are solid 0r highly viscous at ordinary temperatures. The apparatus isprovidedwith a metal plate having a metal receptacle formed therein and a constricted channel for determiningr the rate ot' flow of the melted material when thc apparatus is tilted at a predetermined angle. I provide means for maintaining predetermined temperature conditions in the apparatus. means for insulating the molten material from external conditions during the test.` means for tilting and locking the apparatus in any desired position and means for determining the extent of How of the material in any desired period ot time.

Although I have described a specific embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited thereto. I have shown a preferred form of my invention but I may modify the shape andsize of the receptacle and chanrel or I may use other methods ot heating my apparatus such as steam or a l2. A testing apparatus for determining ,A

viscosity which comprises a plate provided with a receptacle in one portion thereof said receptacle having an elongated channel comheat in said plate and insulating means for preventing a rapid How of heat from the sides and bottom of said plate.

3. A testing apparatus for determining viscosity which comprises a supporting body, a plate in said body providedl with a receptacle in one portion thereof and a channel communicating with said receptacle, said plate being provided with a scale adjacent to i said channel for indicating distances from a predetermined point in said plate, a cover for said plate. means :for insulating the sides and bottom of said body and means whereby said bodyfmay be tilted. X

4. A testing apparatus for determining viscosity which comprisesla plate provided with a circular receptacle therein and an elongated channel communicating with said receptacle, a body associated with said plate and including means for heating said plate, a removable heat insulating cover for said plate and insulating means on the sides and bottom of said body.

5. A testing apparatus for determining viscosity which comprises a plate provided with a circular receptacle therein and an elongated channel communicating with said receptacle. a body associated with said plate and including means for heating said plate, a removable heat insulating cover for said plate, a removable closure for the end of said channel remote from the receptacle, means -whereby said body and plate may be tilted and insulating means on the sides and bottom of said body.

6. A testing apparatus comprising a, metal body provided with a` receptacle for heating the material to be tested and a channel of less depth than said receptacle and communieating therewith, means for predetermining the temperature conditions of said body and receptacle, means for maintaining said predetermined temperature condition and means for determining 'the extent of iow of material in said channel. Y

7. A testing apparatus comprising a metal body provided with a receptacle for containing the material to be tested while being lmunicating therewith. a cover for retaining I los;

heated and a channel of less depth than Said of fiow of material in said channel when in a receptacle and communicating therewith, tilted position. means for predetermining the temperature In testimony whereof, I have hereunto lo conditions of said body, a glass cover for subscribed my name this 31st day of May,

l 'said body, insulation on the sides and bot- 1924.

tom of said body, means :for tilting said body, and means for determining the extent JOHN RUSSELL MCCLAIN. 

